Rachel Blaney

[Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply, December 1st, 2021]

Madam Speaker, one thing I am really concerned about, which I found oddly lacking in the throne speech, is a strong commitment to protecting the oceans surrounding this country.

I think of my riding, where we just had an incident involving over 100 lost sea containers that were floating around in the ocean. Some of them have come ashore. It was a terrible situation.

When will the government take the need to protect our oceans seriously? When these incidents happen, we need a coordinated approach. The government will not commit to that. When will it commit?

[An Act to Provide Further Support in Response to COVID-19, November 29th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, one of the serious concerns in my riding is specifically around seniors, those who were working seniors receiving the guaranteed income supplement. Because they were working, they applied for the CERB when they lost their jobs, like so many other Canadians across the country.

Could the member talk about why the government seems to think that vulnerable seniors should be left in poverty, homeless and without being able to pay for the basic necessities of their life instead of creating a structure and a plan to save them during this time?

[An Act to Provide Further Support in Response to COVID-19, November 29th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, one thing I have heard loud and clear, and it is something I have definitely heard across my riding, is that a lot of small businesses are really struggling to find people to hire. Part of the challenge is that there are not any resources to help with bridging programs, which would provide training and orientation for people who do not have the skill sets those businesses desperately require.

I am wondering if this member would support any sort of movement towards having more resources for training to support people who do not have the skills required to meet the needs of the labour force in our areas.

[An Act to Provide Further Support in Response to COVID-19, November 29th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I too represent a lot of small businesses within my region, and I think specifically of the Campbell River Association of Tour Operators, which has been very innovative and is working hard to clean the ocean and beaches during this stressful time because of the lack of tourism. We know that the labour force has been a growing concern as we see people age and, of course, COVID has pushed a lot of things further along.

I wonder if the member is interested in seeing more investment in training so that the people who are without a job will have the training to meet the needs of the jobs that are available. Also, I wonder if the member could share her thoughts on immigration and the vast challenges we are seeing across this country in terms of getting the people we need for our labour workforce here in Canada.

[An Act to Provide Further Support in Response to COVID-19, November 26th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member on her first speech in this House. I am really happy to be here on this day with her.

I know that across the country, especially in my riding of North Island—Powell River, there are a lot of seniors whose guaranteed income supplements are being cut back significantly. It is leading to them not having a home. It is very hard to talk to a 79-year-old senior about how they are going to be living on the streets within the next week or so.

Could the member speak about any concerns that she and her party may have about leaving vulnerable seniors so far behind?

[Points of Order, November 26th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I want to join my voice with the Conservative whip on this issue.

This is a sacred place. During the time of the pandemic, I absolutely understand that we must ensure we are safe and that the people who work here are safe, but to disrespect this place that has a long history is absolutely inappropriate. I hope to never see that happen again in the House.

[Seniors, November 26th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, seniors in Canada who receive the guaranteed income supplement are some of the poorest in this country. Many work to subsidize their meagre income. Like every other working Canadian, they asked for help during the pandemic. Now they are being punished. Seniors like David, who is 71 years old, had $1,000 cut off their income. He cannot afford his food. He cannot afford his medication.

How can the Minister of Seniors sleep at night knowing that these seniors are going hungry and are not getting their medication every day here?

[Flooding in British Columbia, November 24th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to you. It is good to see you in the chair.

For the NDP, one of our biggest concerns is the fact that we see a Liberal government that says a lot of great things that people believe but it does not take the next step into action. When we look at what is happening in British Columbia, where we are seeing communities, indigenous communities, being completely isolated now because of this terrible weather incident, we know that it is just going to continue to grow because of climate change.

Could the member speak a little about what we need to see in terms of action?

[Order Respecting the Business of the House and its Committees, November 24th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I would like to add my name in congratulations of your sitting in that seat. It is an honour to see you there. I also want to take this opportunity, as it is my first time to stand in the House, to thank the North Island—Powell River constituents for allowing me a third term in the House to represent them.

I really did appreciate what I heard from the previous member when he talked about the importance of being double-vaxxed. That is something I am very concerned with as well.

I am particularly concerned for the people who work in this building and who have children 12 and under who cannot be vaccinated. We have members in the House who are travelling across the country and potentially bringing COVID here. If we have members in the House who are unvaccinated, even if they are being tested every 48 hours they are still bringing that here.

What does that mean for the people who work here? Are we not responsible in the House for the work environment of all the people in this place?

[Broadcasting Act, June 21st, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP agree to apply and, along with our leader, the member for Burnaby South, will be voting yes.